Journal of affective disorders
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The literature is unclear regarding the relationship between hospital outcome (i.e., symptom improvement during a hospital admission) and readmission, questioning the validity of readmission as an indicator of the quality of the previous hospitalization. Thus, the present aim was to examine if hospital outcome is a predictor of readmission and identify the factors that may mask any effects. ⋯ These findings support that readmission may be a useful indicator of the quality of the previous hospitalization.
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The addition of small amounts of lignocaine (50 mg) to propofol (200 mg) has been previously shown to reduce pain in injection, a common problem with this particular anaesthetic agent. The aim of this study was to investigate whether using the mixture of propofol plus lignocaine had any adverse effects on ECT seizure expression (duration, and ictal quality). ⋯ The addition of a small dose of lignocaine to propofol during ECT treatment enhanced rather than reduced the quality of the seizures produced.
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Certain pharmacological agents administered during electroconvulsive therapy may have the potential to prevent persistent retrograde amnesia induced during electroconvulsive therapy. This review examines mechanisms for electroconvulsive therapy-induced retrograde amnesia, and evaluates the suitability of the anaesthetic ketamine for preventing this amnestic outcome. ⋯ A clinical trial is warranted to determine if ketamine anaesthesia during electroconvulsive therapy can lessen persistent retrograde amnesia and improve therapeutic response. Electroconvulsive therapy with ketamine anaesthesia may provide effective antidepressant action with minimal side effects.
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Patients with major depressive disorder (MDD) may display elevated plasma levels of pro-inflammatory substances. Although the underlying mechanisms are unknown, inflammation has been proposed to play a direct role in the generation of depressive symptoms. Skeletal muscle is a potent producer of cytokines, and physical exercise has been suggested to alleviate symptoms of depression. In this study we therefore addressed the question of whether MDD patients display altered levels of pro-, anti-inflammatory and regulatory factors in the blood in response to acute exercise. ⋯ Exercise induces changes in the blood levels of cytokines in unmedicated MDD patients. Whether these changes affect symptoms of depression should be evaluated in long-term studies of the anti-depressive effects of exercise.
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Rates of PTSD and depression are high in Korean War veterans. The prevalence and impact of the two disorders occurring comorbidly, however, has not been investigated. This paper aims to investigate the extent to which PTSD and depression co-occur in Australian veterans of the Korean War, the symptom severity characteristics of comorbidity, the impact on life satisfaction and quality, and the association with war-related predictors. ⋯ Comorbid PTSD and depression, and PTSD alone, are prevalent among Korean War veterans, are both associated with war-related factors 50 years after the Korean War, and may represent a single traumatic stress construct. The results have important implications for understanding complex psychopathology following trauma.